Yesterday the MTA issued a press release which is of great interest to drivers & straphangers all over the tri-state area. The press was to announce the 8 scheduled public hearings in regards to the proposed fare & toll hikes. The hearings will take place in all 5 boroughs along with Nassau, Rockland, & Westchester counties respectively. Here is the schedule for those hearings:

For the first time ever, the MTA has scheduled a public engagement workshop to discuss the fare & toll hikes along with their vision for the next 5 – 10 years. There also plans to hold an online workshop to discuss the same issues.

Ever since the fare hike was discussed, many fellow bloggers & straphangers have shared their strong opinion for & against the proposed fare & toll hikes. I am hoping the same passion that was displayed on blogs & in print about these issues translates into a big attendance at all of these public hearings. While one could argue these hearings are nothing more than MTA grandstanding, it is not an excuse to stay quiet. How can anyone expect change if they are just going to make initial statements & not follow up on them? The answer is they can not & this is a time to show our strength in numbers!